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HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 51

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOMMENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RIO GRANDE WILDLIFE

CONSERVATION AREA.

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande connects New Mexico from its

northern to its southern boundary, connecting people and

communities along its natural course; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande corridor from the Colorado border

in Taos county to the village of Velarde in Rio Arriba county

is defined by the unique geologic formations of the Rio Grande

gorge created by volcanic basalt flows from the volcanoes of

the Taos plateau and the underlying Rio Grande rift; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande migratory flyway represents one of

the great natural migratory routes in the world and provides

for some of the greatest diversity of flora and fauna in the

American southwest; and

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WHEREAS, the volcanic basalt cliffs of the Rio Grande

gorge provide for regionally high densities of nesting eagles,

hawks, falcons and owls, and their natural nesting areas

constitute a Rio Grande bird of prey area similar to that along

the Snake river in Idaho; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande wild and scenic corridor provides

a unique fishing habitat of national renown and is currently

being managed by the bureau of land management and the

department of game and fish as special fishing waters; and

WHEREAS, San Antonio mountain and the Punche valley

provide unique winter habitats for large migratory elk herds

from both Colorado and New Mexico that are managed by the

bureau of land management and the department of game and fish;

and

WHEREAS, the Taos plateau and the Punche valley are

currently being jointly managed as a pronghorn antelope area by

the bureau of land management and the department of game and

fish; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Rio Grande wildlife

conservation area will provide for future generations of New

Mexicans continuing opportunities to enjoy recreation,

including hunting, fishing, observing wildlife and experiencing

solitude;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Rio Grande wildlife and

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conservation area be established; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and

fish and all related state agencies work cooperatively with the

bureau of land management under multiple use and sustained

yield management to maintain the highest wildlife values

possible within the Rio Grande wildlife conservation area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature encourage the

state land office to work cooperatively with the bureau of land

management and department of game and fish to consolidate this

unique habitat to better facilitate cooperative management

goals for all New Mexicans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the governor, the director of the department of

game and fish, the commissioner of public lands and the state

director of the bureau of land management.

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